Swimming Strokes
Here is a simple explanation of each of the swimming strokes.
Freestyle
The freestyle stroke, as it's name implies, is not limited by
any particular technique. The stroke we now call freestyle,
which is also known as the front crawl or Australian crawl, has
been used since early last century. Only 15 meters can be swum
underwater (from the start and from each turn), otherwise some
body part must always be above the water. Some believe that the
freestyle stroke was developed by Richard Cavill, an Australian
who combined the overarm stroke with the up and down kick
motion.
Breaststroke
Swimmers of the breast stroke must follow strict rules when
performing the stroke. Their shoulders must be kept in line with
the water, arm and leg movements must be pushed forward
together, and brought back under the surface of the water. At
the turn and finish, both hands must touch the wall together. At
the start and first stroke and kick after a turn, the swimmers
are allowed one arm stroke and one leg kick. At all other times
the swimmer's head must be kept above the surface of the water.
No dolphin, scissors or flutter kicks are allowed, nor tumble
turns.
Butterfly
The butterfly stroke evolved from experiments with the
breaststroke. When swimming the butterfly stroke, the swimmers
must keep their shoulders in line with the surface of the water,
and make arm and leg movements together. They also must not swim
underwater, except for the first stroke after the start and each
turn. Only 15 meters are allowed underwater at the start and
after each turn, and the wall must be touched with both hands.
Backstroke
When swimming the backstroke, the swimmers remain on their
back. This technique was first swum with a frog kick (like the
breaststroke) then the up and down form that is used now.
Similar to the freestyle, only 15 meters can be spent underwater
from the start or from each turn. In 1991, the rules were
changed so that when turning, the swimmers did not have to touch
the wall with their hand, enabling them to do a much faster
turn.
Medley relays
In the individual medley races, the order of strokes is
butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
In the medley relay, the order is backstroke, breaststroke,
butterfly, and freestyle, with the first swimmer starting in the
water.
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